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Thursday, May 31, 2012

How to Respond to Negative Reviews

I have a friend who hates puppies. True story. She hates dogs, actually, which is just weird anyway. One day, I asked her, "Okay, you hate dogs. I can kind of get that. Some people are scared of them, or were bit by one, or whatever. But what about puppies? Cute little wiggly puppies with waggly tails and puppy kisses."

"I hate puppies, too," she said.

Just like that. "I hate puppies, too."

I mean, COME ON.

I have a friend who hates Harry Potter. The whole franchise. There is not one thing she likes. She read part of the first book, and put it down. She felt that the whole first half of the first book glorified child abuse. And yeah, I get her point. If you look at it that way, Harry is abused by the Dursleys, and honestly? They don't really get their pay back for the twelve years of abuse.

"But the book is about so much more than that," I told her, trying to get her to read on.

"Oh, I know--there's magic and Hogwarts and shizz," she said. "But I don't really care about that."

MAGIC AND HOGWARTS AND SHIZZ BUT I DON'T CARE ABOUT THAT.

My own husband hates chocolate. I didn't find this out until after we were married. That's the kind of thing that should be discussed, I KNOW, but it didn't even occur to me that anyone COULD hate chocolate. He's not allergic. I have a friend who's allergic to chocolate, and that's bad enough. But the husband? He just doesn't like it. And I'm married to this monster, y'all.

There are what? 7 billion people in the world now? Statistically speaking, there has to be at least one person in the world who hates puppies, Harry Potter, chocolate, AND bacon. *shudders*

My point? If there are people in the world who hate puppies, Harry Potter, chocolate, and/or bacon, then there are people in the world who hate your book. Put in that perspective, things aren't so bad, huh?

And if a negative review really gets you down? Here's what to do: think about your absolute favorite book of all time. We all have one. A book we love, one that's practically perfect in every way.

Got the book in mind? Now go to GoodReads. Look the book up. Filter the reviews for 1-stars (because I promise you, it does have one stars). And smile. Because if people can rate your favoritest book in the whole world with one star, then of course people can rate your book that way, too.

FUN FACTS!

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (my fave of the series) has 2,843 one-star reviews.

A Wrinkle in Time, one of the best science fiction titles for teens and young people, has 4,359 one-star reviews.

The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, which is funny and insightful and a classic, has 11,212 one-star reviews. Eleven thousand, two hundred, and twelve.

Hamlet, written by Shakespeare, arguably the most popular work by the most influential writer in the English language, has 2,198 one-star reviews. King Lear, my personal favorite Shakespearean play, has nearly a thousand one-stars.

Okay, okay, okay. We can all agree that some of those above titles might have elements that some people don't like. But who can dislike a classic children's picture book? Let's say...Where the Wild Things Are. I'm not sure, but I'd wager that's the most popular children's book in America. And it has over 2,000 one-star reviews. Curious George? Nearly 1,000 one-stars. The Cat in the Hat? Over twelve-hundred.

If there are people who hate these books, there are people who hate yours. Go pet a puppy, eat some chocolate and/or bacon, and read your favorite book again. Things aren't so bad. People are just weird different is all.

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If it helps... of those books you named I only really like one of them, sort of. Well, I'll read Hamlet when I'm in a bad mood, but it's not my Go To Comfort Book. I hate the rest, especially The Cat In The Hat. It's creepy and scary and cruel and I hate it!

I'm not a Harry Potter or a puppy fan either. And it really depends on the bacon. I've had some terrible bacon before.

For the record, I have a friend who also hates chocolate. Just isn't a fan & that's weird. I have another friend who doesn't like most animals, but that's mostly because she's scared of them. I love Hamlet, but I have generally negative associations with King Lear (I blame high school AP English & a few people in particular). HP3 is my favorite book though, and my favorite of the movies. :)

I don't like puppies, I hate Harry Potter,I hate chocolate,I don't like bacon,

I know, I know, I suck but hey! that's why I always try to stay open-minded about everything because I live a very weird life (I don't like sugar either, hate eggs, etc) and everyone always critizises me :/

Goes to show. I do not care for Harry Potter, but I have a daughter who loves it. I like chocolate, but have two siblings who do not care for it. As the old saying goes, different strokes for different folks.

I usually check to see what other books reviewers have given 1 star, and often I will see some of my favorites there. After the initial shock wears off, I shrug and think, "Well, if they hated that, then of course they wouldn't like my book." And then I move on.

I've noticed on Goodreads how everything has a wide variety of reviews so no matter what, like you said, someone out there isn't gonna like it. But that's okay because if we all loved the same things, the world would be a boring place.

Awesome! Perspective is always a good thing. It is always such a novel experience meeting someone with entirely different tastes. A bit of an eye opener to all the possibilities. My bacon feelings are rather complicated. There is nothing so tasty as brown sugar peppered bacon. But try as I might I can't seem to make it without burning it. So bacon hates me and I in turn dislike its smell. Does anyone else out there notice how long that cloying bacon smell stays in the house? Forever. I didn't like chocolate for a decade due to an abundance as a teenager. You are thinking there is no possible way to have too much chocolate. It happens. Dogs are just plain annoying. I can't walk down the sidewalk of my neighborhood in peace. Nope, every darn dog has got to take exception to my stroll.

But really, this is a great way of looking at things. People have different tastes, and the world really is better off for it (if everyone loved the same thing the universe would be pretty... well... boring.)

Ha, so true! My sister's best friend hates chocolate. I wish I did. Maybe then I wouldn't eat so much of it...or have to work out quite so often to keep it from showing just how much I love those brown morsels. *smacks lips*

I love this post! I need to keep it handy-lol. I have a friend who hates pizza! She says all the gooey cheese is gross and then with the sauce, yuck! Really? Gooey cheese and sauce? Is she crazy? I'd hate it if I had a pizza without gooey cheese and sauce!

Love it. Puppies and chocolate and Harry Potter, though? Some of my favourite things. It's a good point, one I'm trying to take to heart. Just published my first book and had to pep-talk myself by writing a blog post about how to handle negative reviews. =) If you are interested you can read it here: http://jodimcisaac.com/how-to-handle-negative-reviews/ Thanks for the great post!

Great post! I immediately navigated to the site your provided and followed your advice. I think it's definitely important for people to remember that even the most successful authors/people are criticized for their work. I will be linking this post on my blog. Thanks!

Wow. So true. I went and looked up To Kill A Mockingbird, which had almost 20,000 one-star reviews, and many of them contained gems such as how the trial is boring because nowadays we'd have DNA evidence.

If that doesn't make you feel better about bad reviews, I don't know what will.

I hate cheese, which shows people are complex with various tastes. This is a lovely post that shows that not everyone is going to love what you love but I think I really like that because when you do find something you adore it feels like a treasure hunt where you've discovered something no one else will ever fully understand but you.

Well said chicka!!! I just received a one star and nasty review the other day for my romance story Fat Chances and I felt it was personally written to me. But I kept my chin up and shrugged it off and thought about all the other fans who love my story.

What a wonderful post. Thank you. Having some nasty reviews (I'd give you a zero if they let me) I'm always looking for creative ways to deal with them. The first one I wrote an elegant sarcastic answer, but pulled the post on the advice of my chaptermates, even though they thought it was funny...

3 is my least favorite in the series. It would be 4 because it drags on so in the beginning. But the fireplace scene makes up for a lot. 5 is my favorite even though it's dark, but especially because it's dark.

I know people who don't read reviews. If/when I'm in that position, I hope I can avoid mine as well.

I wouldn't say I *hate* dogs, but I certainly don't love 'em :) Or even like 'em, really. They're annoying and gross and yeah. But then I have met dogs who are just lovely. Mostly 'cause they're SO well behaved, and never lick me. I hate dogs that lick and sniff. Urrrgh.

My husband doesn't like Harry Potter, but I love it. He can take or leave chocolate, I love it but can't have for health reasons ;) I've had some one star reviews, which were upsetting at the time, but it takes me more determined that my next book or story is going to be even better :)

Negative reviews are definitely hard to swallow, but your article puts it in perspective. When I've gotten a negative review, I have looked at my favorite authors and their negative reviews and feel somewhat better. Or even better, I drink a glass of wine.

Love it! I'm a new author -my first novel just went through the ARC review gauntlet so I am totally feeling you right now. I think someone created an account on Goodreads JUST so they could give me one star...their profile has no other activity whatsoever. (Yes, I checked...sigh) There are other reviews that make absolutely no sense but other than gripe to my wife, I don't acknowledge them because nothing good can come from it. Serenity now!

You can't please everyone all of the time. People's tastes are far too varied for that. I guarantee that for every beloved [fill in the blank] out there, at least 5 (arbitrary number) people LOATHE it. Not just dislike, but utterly, angrily fume at the very notion of it.

You need to print a shirt with those statistics. I would totally buy it. It would be my "writing Shirt" and I would dry my tears with it every time I got a one star review. Until the shirt thing is up and running, I will print this out and put it on the refrigerator.

soo true. very well put . I'm in customer service and as much as I go out of my way to help customers with their problems and questions, there's always going to be someone who will not be satisfied. They showed up with the chip on their shoulder and it was there long before I was able to do anything. so therefore, I choose not to take it personally. :) have a great weekend!

This is such a great post! And every time I see someone talking about bad reviews, I can't help but pull out my copy of "Emily's Quest" by Lucy Maud Montgomery and show them the section where "Emily" reads aloud from some of the reviews for her book. LMM captured how totally diverse (and sometimes) insane reviews can be... and she wrote that almost 100 years ago.

But I don't trust people who don't like chocolate or bacon. Just... can't.

Great post which really puts things into perspective. I have a slightly different take on people who write negative reviews which might interest you.http://francenecarroll13.blogspot.com.au/2012/06/bad-reviewers-are-bad-people.html

I feel compelled now to write a series about a boy wizard who has a weakness for chocolate and a puppy as a traveling companion.

I know a few people who don't like chocolate or bacon, and I'm not terribly keen on dogs. I've received a few of those responses from journal editors. I submitted those stories elsewhere and had them accepted somewhere else.

Your husband isn't the only man who dislikes chocolate. Men have different taste buds and tend to like bitter and salty flavors. Beer and pretzels is an example. Guess about women's tastebuds.... SWEET!

Not like puppies and chocolate? I guess I can understand that, but not liking Bacon. I can not read or review a book without chocolate, Doritos and my reading companion, my dog Quigley. Had a great time reading this. Thanks for the laughs:DSo glad I followed over here from Goodreads. Your newest follower,Laura Thomas

Hi Beth, great post, but here are my thoughts on it too... I HATE SUSHI. Now, asking me to "review" or comment on your wonderful creation may not give you the response you'd hoped for. So, I would decline and explain why. I have come across people reviewing a genre they hate. In fact, this happened to me on my books maiden blog tour. Now, when you read the comment, it's actually quite good and the reviewer even "highly recommends” the book to sci-fi lovers…but in the end, she gave it 3 stars BECAUSE she hates sci-fi….How many stars do you think I’d give your sushi? Now I am NOT saying never read (or taste) outside your preferred genre, because one day you might discover a new love. But, do take into consideration your position when you head off into the adventure. I have a post on the topic, (link provided) and if you’re feeling adventurous, you can find a post to “Blog Tour Etiquette”.

This post was eye-opening! When put in that perspective, it's really not so bad. I always said that when you're a teacher or a politician, you can't please everyone. I shall add writer to that list---i just never thought about it that way. Thank you.

This is one of the best posts on the subject of negative reviews I've ever read. I've been sending it out to writer friends all day, then it occurred to me that I should probably tell you. I saw it when someone posted it to the Science Fiction Brigade FB group.

This is the best post I have read in a long time. Just goes to show that opinion is only that, especially considering all the comments so far.

As an author, you want everyone to love what you have created, but that is simply not possible. I love most of the things that you mentioned. Harry Potter being my favorite in the list and chocolate, of course, but if I didn't, that would just make me different than you.

Thanks for sharing your ideas and wisdom! I will keep this on my wall for sure!

Yeah, you are absolutely right. One more thing. Apart from the star thing. If you let people use the star thing, they will, for good or ill.Another thing which relates to this first thing. It's a total waste of time and energy to obsess over reviews. PW? That's a limited circulation magazine aimed at the professionals in the field, not readers. We should all stop obsessing and go. Write. another. Book.

Wonderful post, Beth, and the funny thing is that I recently came up with the exact same idea.

I was devastated when I received a 2-star review of my new novel, naively expecting that EVERYONE would love it.

So I decided to look up my favorite novels on Amazon and, sure enough, they all had loads of 1-star reviews. Even To Kill A Mockingbird! Even Catcher in the Rye!

And as I read these reviews, I was startled to find that some of the reviewers made valid points. Holden Caulfield CAN come across as a whiney, spoiled brat. Catcher in the Rye has very little plot--hardly anything HAPPENS.

So, I came to see that you can look at anything in this world from a 1-star or 5-star perspective. Both perspectives have validity, and it's all in the eyes and heart of the beholder.

Does this mean negative reviews are no longer hurtful? Not really. But, I'm taking them less personally and with a greater sense of detachment.

Wow! You're SO right! I don't write, I sell. And sometimes, people are just unhappy with their purchase. Nothing wrong with the item, they just don't like it. Your article can apply to just about anything we do in life. Thank you so much!Patricia :o)

Do you read all these? Wow. You touched a nerve. It is a matter of taste, is it not? People have their own attitudes...King Lear...one star...ha, ha. That puts Shakespeare in his place, does it not? Too bad the reviewer can't read the language...and needed a tutor to understand the play...or whatever. Don't mean to be critical. I taught for years. Was shocked when a student told me they didn't like Shakespeare's sonnets. This young girl thought her poems were better. She said it matter of factly...it was a truth to her. Some people will never try Chinese food or sushi for that matter. I am more adventurous. I so appreciate what you have included. It is uplifting to all writers...Thanks.

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I think you've fixed my paranoia about bad reviews. I'm digging through Goodreads and am horrified by the one star reviews for fabulous stories. I want to weep for people who are so clearly incapable of having their eyes opened by the written word.

I love this post. For those who are currently experiencing a great ordeal on bad reviews (be it books, online biz etc.) you can check out http://www.cleaninternetreviews.com/. There is no upfront fee required.

Granted, if the extent of Harry Potter's abuse by the Dursley's was only what I and my brothers and sisters suffered for years as kids, we would've been in heaven. However, I can't understand how child abuse could ever possibly be 'glorified' - a statement, especially in connection with a book like this, that I think is absolutely ridiculous. What... is everyone and everything in fiction supposed to be perfect? After all, abuse is simply relative, coming in many forms, just as bad whether a child sleeps in a cupboard under the stairs, or gets whipped naked with a hose or wakes up to a beer bottle being broken on their head. But what bland reading that would be if we didn't make mention of what goes on in real life in fiction. Perhaps we should pull apart Dickens books too? Any amount of books, for that matter, with any kind of abusive relationship, regardless of it being integral to the storyline? Regardless of it being what really happens in life - regardless of the level of abuse?

Personally, I can't stand people who say they hate dogs, seconded only by my dislike for literalists in otherwise obvious situations, and whom, I feel; very often are reflecting something of their own inadequacies, usually, their approach about something else entirely, in my experience.

Each to their own, everybody's a critic, sure enough; as you say; it means absolutely nothing. Some people hate good books, some people hate puppies - who knows why - but that's their problem, maybe they don't even know? Just have trust in yourself, know your own potential, and know that you can't please all the people all the time - as they say.

Apart from the part about your friend - the thought of whom left a taste other than chocolate in my mouth - I enjoyed your blog post; informative and backed up with figures - encouraging words to many, as we see here, I'm sure.

I just read this! What a great post. Negative reviews don't bother me until someone makes it a personal attack. There's no reason for that type of response. But after reading your blog, I've decided those unfriendly readers probably don't like chocolate, puppies or Harry Potter, either! Thanks for sharing.

I found your blog through Elizabeth Craig's Twitterific, and I just love your voice and writing style--and this post! Had me laughing, and I read A LOT of writing blogs, and it's the very rare one that makes me chuckle. Thank you for that!

What a terrific post. I will never worry about my one-star reviews again. I was shocked to see the list of books that have so many negative responses. Really just proves there are books for every taste. Just like there is food for every taste. Not sure I could stay married to a guy who does not like chocolate. LOL

This is a great post! You're right. When you put it in that perspective, there are people out there who hate a lot of things that the majority of us love. My husband likes chocolate, but he hates gum. I came to terms with the fact that it's just impossible to please everyone, when one of my books got slammed for being too long in one review then too short in another. That's what it took for me to understand that universal constant. Once a person figures that out, the rest doesn't seem so bad. :-)

Great post. I love your way of thinking! I was just reading home direct reviews and I was getting mad because I have used them more than once and never had a problem. I swear, people only make negative comments. Very rarely do you find a positive review. By the way, I love puppies, chocolate, Harry Potter and bacon!

I just got my first negative review over at Goodreads and was wondering whether or not I should respond to the reviewer. So, I decided to consult the Internet re the matter and came across this blog post. It made me feel a lot better about my 2-star review. Thanks for that.

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